Artist Statement:
I am an interdisciplinary artist and naturalist with a studio practice focused on analog and digital lens based technology. My practice explores the human relationship to wilderness through the construction of other earths, topographies inspired by periods of navigation amongst extreme landscapes. I utilize photography, film, video, sound, alternative processes, performance, and projected installation to bring forward the fantastic as a vehicle for contemplating environmental realities. The work investigates crossovers between science fiction, feminism, and technology to construct sites of the uncanny. Alternative histories follow the habits of invented beings in order to reveal ecological and geological possibilities of vast landscapes traversed. I move between the field and studio, extracting evidence from the real in order to construct mythologies that playfully, and at times humorously teeter between fact and fiction. The artworks re-imagine futurepast environments where humans do not exist.
Bio:
Rachel Guardiola is an artist, citizen scientist, and educator. She has been a recipient of the Hamiltonian Gallery Artist Fellowship and Studio Residency at School 33 Art Center. Guardiola has exhibited internationally with List í Ljósi, Wassaic Project, The Halide Project, Rhizome DC, Analog Cookbook, Ortega y Gasset Projects, Light City Baltimore, Artscape, Sydney College of the Arts, Dakar Biennale de l’Art Contemporain, Studio Vortex, Rhode Island School of Design, Arlington Arts Center, and Washington Project for the Arts amongst others. She has been an artist in residence at MASS MoCA, A.I.R. Gallery Governors Island, Arctic Circle Art and Science Expedition, HEIMA, Vermont Studio Center, and Atelier de Visu. Guardiola received an MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design.
CV:
b. 1985 Massapequa, NY
Education
2015
MFA Multidisciplinary Art + Certificate in Teaching. Maryland Institute College of Art Mount Royal
2012-13
Graduate Coursework Photography + Related Media. Parsons The New School for Design
2007
BFA Painting. Rhode Island School of Design
2009-11
U.S. Peace Corps Service. Senegal, West Africa
Certificate in Environmental Education, Agroforestry, Water Sanitation, Health
Languages Wolof + French
Solo Exhibitions
2018
A Hand Without a Horizon is Taller Than It’s Other. Hamiltonian Gallery. Washington DC
2017
Transmission from Terra Incognita. Hamiltonian Gallery. Washington DC
2016
Lakeland Chronicles. Members Gallery. School 33 Art Center. Baltimore, MD
2015
Fall Solos. Arlington Art Center. Arlington, VA. juried by Melissa Ho + Jefferson Pinder
Selected Exhibitions + Screenings
2025
Soil to Skin: The Intersection of Bodies, Histories, and Earth. Goucher College Art Galleries and Pellis::Terra. Baltimore, MD curated by Liz Faust
Living Image. The Halide Project. Philadelphia, PA juried by Adam Finkleston
2024
The Active Image: Political Ecologies & Photography Agency. Folk House Darkroom. Bristol, UK curated by The Sustainable Darkroom
CAD Faculty Exhibition. William Harris Gallery. RIT. Rochester, NY
Pinhole. NJ Pinhole Club. Philadelphia, PA
2023
The New Geologic Epoch. Ecoartspace. juried by Mary Mattingly (virtual)
Elemental Landscapes. Crealdé School of Art. Analog Film Photography Association. Orlando, FL
The Art of Handmade Photography. Vermont Center of Photography. Brattleboro, VT juried by Dale Rio
UCCS Visual Art Faculty Triennial. Ent Center for the Arts. Colorado Springs, CO
The Big Picture Colorado. Month of Photography. Denver, CO juried by Mark Sink
Past & Present. Der Greif 15th Anniversary. Munich, Germany
2022
Kinetic. Terzo Piano. Hamiltonian Artists. Washington D.C.
You EFF OH. Maryland Art Place. Baltimore, MD
UCCS Faculty Exhibition. Pikes Peak Community College. Colorado Springs, CO
2021
Empirical Evidence. Hamiltonian Gallery. Washington D.C. curated by Tomora Wright
Fade/Fail/Flow. Oranbeg Press (virtual)
Boundaries, Belonging, Becoming. Revolve Gallery. Six Feet Photography Project. Asheville, NC
Am I Altering Your Aura? Washington Project for the Arts. Washington DC
Project 1: Poster Show. but, also. Washington DC curated by Nancy Daly + Rex Delafkaran
2020
Edge of Light. Plaxall Gallery. Center for the Holographic Arts. Long Island City, NY curated by Jonathan Sims
Virtual Microcinema Screening Series. Rhizome DC (virtual)
Womens Photography Baltimore Group Show. Luann Carra Gallery (virtual)
Living Image. The Halide Project. Philadelphia, PA juried by Kris Graves
2019
Shadow of the Gradient. Ortega y Gassett Projects. Brooklyn, NY curated by Clare Britt
Selective Memory. Brook Lanier Fine Art. Philadelphia, PA
Transformer Auction. The Corcoran School of the Arts + Design. Washington DC
Art Night. Washington Project for the Arts. Washington DC
Resident Biennial. School 33 Art Center. Baltimore, MD curated by George Ciscle
Every Woman Biennial. La Mama Galleria. New York, NY
Flat File Exhibition. Institute of Contemporary Art. Baltimore, MD
TRowe Price Foundation Exhibition. Maryland Art Place. Baltimore, MD
Mineral Grit. Sheila + Richard Riggs Gallery. Maryland Institute College of Art. Baltimore, MD juried by Betsy Johnson
Show #55. Field Projects. New York, NY juried by AN/OTHER NY (virtual)
2018
Inspiration into Action. Hamiltonian Gallery. Washington DC curated by Chelsea Ragan + Adam Void / School of the Alternative
Other Earth Archives Live Performance. Hamiltonian Gallery. Washington DC
Transformer Gallery Silent Auction. The Corcoran School of the Arts + Design. Washington DC
Barren. Barry Gallery. Marymount University. Arlington, VA
Open World. Arlington Art Center. Arlington, VA curated by Blair Murphy
Building Worlds. Greater Reston Arts Center. Reston, VA
Mount Royal Alumni Show. International Art Gallery. BWI Airport. Baltimore, MD curated by Lek Borja + Madeline Stratton
Summer Exhibition. Wassaic Project. Wassaic, NY
Introductions. Trestle Gallery. Brooklyn, NY curated by Enrico Gomez
List í Ljósi Festival. Seyðisfjörður, Iceland curated by Celia Harrison + Sesse Jónasardóttir
2017
Fragmented Imaginaries. A.I.R. Gallery Governors Island. New York, NY
Art Night. Washington Project for the Arts. Washington DC
It’s Still Up to You. Hamiltonian Gallery. Washington DC curated by Eve Biddle + Will Hutnick
Field Work. Artscape. Pinkard Gallery. Maryland Institute College of Art. Baltimore, MD curated by Kim Domanski
Resident Biennial. School 33 Art Center. Baltimore, MD curated by Jackie Milad
Artists for Truth. Space Camp Gallery. Baltimore, MD
On Demand. Light City Baltimore. Baltimore, MD curated by Kim Domanski
List í ljósi Flat Earth Film Festival. Herðubreið Cinema. Seyðisfjörður, Iceland
2016
KVIT 1 ÅR. Kvit Galleri. Copenhagen, Denmark
new.(now). Hamiltonian Gallery. Washington DC
Living Image. The Halide Project. Philadelphia, PA juried by Chandra Glick
We Make It All To Have It All. La Bodega Gallery. Baltimore, MD
Making Matters. Sally D. Francisco Gallery. Peters Valley School of Craft. Layton, NJ
Light City Baltimore. National Aquarium. Baltimore, MD
2015
Faculty Art Exhibition. Milton J. Will Gallery. 92nd Street Y Art Center. New York, NY
RPCV Art Show, Brooklyn Workd 159. Brooklyn, NY
Lotta Art Exhibition. School 33 Art Center. Baltimore, MD
Ebb + Flow. Artscape. Pikard Gallery. Maryland Institute College of Art. Baltimore, MD curated by Kim Domanski
Nature in the Dark II. Sandbox Initiative. Chestertown, MD
Nature in the Dark II. Y-Not Lot. Baltimore, MD
An Nyeong Hase Yo, An Nyeong Higase Yo. KAGRO Gallery. Baltimore, MD
A Revolution Unfolded. Jubilee Arts Center. Baltimore Clayworks. Baltimore, MD
2014
Maybe For Sure. Leidy + Riggs Gallery. Maryland Institute College of Art. Baltimore, MD
Post-photography: Beyond the Print. Torpedo Factory Art Center. Alexandria, VA
It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time. Great White Wall Gallery. Maryland Institute College of Art. Baltimore, MD
I Know What You Did Last Summer. T. Rowe Price Gallery. Maryland Institute College of Art. Baltimore, MD
2013
Re:Cinema. 25 East Gallery. Parsons The New School for Design. New York, NY curated by Ryszard Dabek
Re:Cinema. SCA Galleries. Sydney College of the Arts. Sydney, Australia curated by Ryszard Dabek
Studio Vortex. Atelier de Visu. Marseille, France
Size Matters. Leidy + Riggs Gallery. Maryland Institute College of Art. Baltimore, MD
33. Leidy + Riggs Gallery. Maryland Institute College of Art. Baltimore, MD
Parsons Festival. 90th 5th Ave. New York, NY
Align. The Atrium Gallery. Tyler School of Art Temple University. Philadelphia, PA
2012
The Photo Show. NRM Gallery. New York, NY
Sandy Devastation Document Drive. The Powerhouse Arena. NY Photo Festival. New York, NY (virtual)
2010
Land of the Walo. Biennale de l’Art Contemporain. IFAN Museum. St. Louis, Senegal, West Africa
Photography Exhibition. Peace Corps Headquarters. Dakar, Senegal, West Africa
2007
Sight + Sound. Hillel Gallery. Providence, RI
Painting Group Show. Woods Gerry Gallery. Rhode Island School of Design. Providence, RI
European Honors Program Group Show. Cenci Gallery. Rome, Italy
Pattern + Color. Hillel Gallery. Providence, RI
Residencies, Grants, Awards
2023
Residency. Dysbiosis Invasive Species and Novel Ecologies. Ecoartspace (virtual)
Residency. Welcome Hill Studios. West Chesterfield, NH
2020
Honorable Mention. Light Work Grants in Photography. Syracuse, NY
2019
The Studios Residency + Assistance. MASS MoCA. North Adams, MA
2017
A.I.R. Gallery Summer Residency Governors Island. New York, NY
Studio Residency. School 33 Art Center. Baltimore, MD (2017-19)
2016
HEIMA. Seyðisfjörður, Iceland (2016-17)
The Arctic Circle Art + Science Expedition. Svalbard
Hamiltonian Artist Fellowship. Washington DC (2016-18)
Artist Grant. Light City Baltimore. Baltimore Office of Promotion + The Arts. Baltimore, MD
Vermont Studio Center Residency + Merit Grant Award. Johnson, VT
2015
Finalist. Fulbright Research Grant. Iceland
Best in Show. Lotta Art Exhibition. School 33 Art Center. Baltimore, MD
Finalist. Tobey Devan Lewis Travel Fellowship. Maryland Institute College of Art. Baltimore, MD
2014
Meyerhoff Fellowship Grant. Smithsonian Institution Archives + Maryland Institute College of Art. Washington DC
Graduate Research Development Grant. Maryland Institute College of Art. Baltimore, MD
2013
Mount Royal Graduate Fellowship Scholarship. Maryland Institute College of Art. Baltimore, MD (2013-15)
Atelier de Visu Residency + Travel Grant w/ Antoine D’Agata. Marseille, France
2006
European Honors Independent Study Program. Rhode Island School of Design. Rome, Italy
2003
Scholarship Award. Rhode Island School of Design. Providence, RI (2003-07)
Publications + Web
Point A to Point B: Analog Explorations Issue #7 by Dale Rio + Sandra C. Davis
Ecoartspace The New Geologic Epoch
Vermont Center of Photography The Art of Handmade Photography
The Big Picture by Mark Sink
Analog Cookbook Issue 3
Center for the Holographic Arts Edge of Light (web)
The Halide Project Living Image Edition 2016, 2020, 2025
Ortega y Gassett Projects Shadow of a Gradient by Claire Britt
Studio Vortex Journal 5/6
Re:Cinema Persistence of the Cinematic in Contemporary Practice by Ryszard Dabek (print + web)
ICA Baltimore Flat File 2019 (web)
School 33 Art Center Resident Artist Catalog
Hamiltonian Artist Catalog (2017 + 2018)
UNLIKELY Journal for Creative Arts (web)
Arlington Art Center Fall Solos Catalog
NY Photo Festival (web)
Bibliography
2021
Jenkins, Mark. In the galleries: Probing our relationships with living systems. Washington Post. October 1
2020
Nair, Shraddha. Edge of Light explores light as mode and medium at HoloCenter, New York. Stirworld. December 18
Yaniv, Etty. Edge of Light at Plaxall. Art Spiel. December 2
2019
Art Guide. Ortega y Gasset Projects Shadow of the Gradient. Artforum International. June 15
2018
LaRocca, Lauren. We Take You Inside the 30th Annual Open Studio Tour. Baltimore Magaine. October 10
Jenkins, Mark. In the galleries: Small universes and a large cosmos at Greater Reston Arts Center. Washington Post. August 31
Biondo, Juliana. Old Bad Air and A Hand Without a Horizon is Taller Than It’s Other. Bmore Art. February 21
Jenkins, Mark. In the galleries: Color-field painting can also tell a story. Washington Post. January 26
Juliette, Rebecca. Bmore Art’s Picks. Bmore Art. January 9
2017
Jenkins, Mark. In the galleries: A colorful survey of Washington artists. Washington Post. July 27
Sutton, Benjamin. Visit Open Studios in a Former Officer’s House on Governors Island. Hyperallergic. July 25
Alumni Profiles. Maryland Institute College of Art. April 7
2016
Magic in the Mundane, BRINE Adventures in Baltimore. March 9
Juliette, Rebecca. Lakeland Chronicles. Bmore Art. January 11
2015
Go Into the Zone with Rachel Guardiola 2015 Fall Solos Artist. AAC Blog. December 15
City Paper Picks In Charles North Tracing Fictions Opening Reception. Baltimore City Paper. April 1
Artist Talks + Visiting Artist Lectures
2023
Ent Center for the Arts. Colorado Springs, CO
2022
Lux et Libera: women at the intersection of light and chemistry. Auckland Festival of Photography (virtual)
2021
Hamiltonian Gallery. Washington DC (virtual)
Washington Project for the Arts. Washington DC (virtual)
2018
Hamiltonian Gallery. Washington DC
Arlington Art Center. Arlington, VA
2017
Girl Power Meetups hosted by Hamiltonian Gallery. Washington DC
Wassaic Project. Wassaic, NY
Hamiltonian Gallery. Washington DC
2016
Making in Transit. The Cube. London, England
Hamiltonian Gallery. Washington DC
Maryland Science Center. Art of Science. Baltimore, MD
School 33 Art Center. Baltimore, MD
2015
Arlington Art Center. Arlington, VA
Wind Up Space. Nature in the Dark II Panel Discussion. Baltimore, MD
CUNY Hunter College Department of Art. Focus + Motivation. New York, NY
Teaching
Visiting Assistant Professor, Fine Art Photography. Rochester Institute of Technology (2024-present)
Instructor, Photography + Digital Media. University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (2020-23)
Instructor, Transmedia. Syracuse University (2019-20)
Adjunct Faculty, Photography. Corcoran School of the Arts + Design (2019)
Adjunct Faculty, New Media. George Mason University (2018-19)
Adjunct Faculty, Photography. Northern Virginia Community College, Woodbridge (2017-19)
Photography Instructor. Peter’s Valley School of Craft (2016)
Teaching Assistant. Maryland Institute College of Art (2013-15)
Instructor, Photography. 92nd Street Y Art Center (2012-15)
Teaching Assistant. International Center of Photography. (2013-17)
Art, Science, + Technology
Video Editor + Assistant. Carrie Mae Weems Studio. Syracuse, NY (2020)
Studio Assistant. Harry Mattison Photography. Baltimore, MD (2019-2020)
Photography Lab Assistant. Maryland Institute College of Art. Department of Photography. Baltimore, MD (2018-19)
Digital Interpretive Specialist. The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY (2015-17)
Graduate Program Assistant, Technology. Maryland Institute College of Art Mount Royal. Baltimore, MD (2014-15)
Lab Technician. Grad Lab. Maryland Institute College of Art. Baltimore, MD (2014-15)
Digital Services Fellow. Smithsonian Institution Archives. Washington DC (2014)
Multimedia Lab Technician. Parsons The New School for Design. New York, NY (2012-13)
Darkroom Lab Assistant. International Center of Photography. New York, NY (2011-13)
Environmental Education Extension Agent. U.S. Peace Corps. Walo-Futa Region, Senegal, West Africa (2009-11)
Documentary Photographer + Video Production. U.S. Peace Corps. Digital Media Office, Dakar, Senegal, West Africa (2010-11)
Urban Park Ranger. NYC Parks + Recreation. Inwood Hill + Fort Tryon Parks. New York, NY (2008)
Preparator Apprentice. Harvard University Department of Comparative Zoology, Mammalogy. Beverly, MA (2005-06)
Curatorial Assistant/Taxidermist. Rhode Island School of Design Edna Lawrence Nature Lab. Providence, RI (2003-07)
Membership + Affiliation
Hamiltonian Artist Fellows Alumni
Finger Lakes Native Plant Society